The Los Angeles Lakers have not held extension discussions with Pau Gasol, who is eligible for free agency this offseason.
Gasol, who is 33, is averaging 14.3 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks this season.
"We have not had any discussions with Pau," general manager Mitch Kupchak said Tuesday on a conference call with a small group of reporters. "I’m sure I will and where that leads I’m not sure right now. A lot has to do with different variables. I’m not saying that something won’t be considered and I’m not saying that something will be. I’m just saying that it’s not something that came up and it wouldn’t have come up before (Monday) anyway. There was no reason for anything to take place until we signed Kobe. So, we’ll kind of roll with that and see where it leads."
Gasol said he did not know how Bryant's new deal impacts his contract status.
"I try not to make that assumption," Gasol said on Tuesday. "If I am, I will. If I’m not . . . I’m just focusing on trying to play as well as I can and finish the season as good as I can so I’m in the best position as possible for next year. That’s just my mindset about it."
Gasol was asked if he's about Bryant taking up $23.5 million of the Lakers' expected $62.9 million in cap space next season.
"I don’t really think about that," Gasol said. "I thought it was a good extension for him. He’s the face of the Lakers, pretty much. So, I just think it caught a lot of people off guard unexpectedly without him being back playing and showing how well has he recovered from that injury. Other than that, it was a great extension for him.
"As far as me, or the team which is I’m most concerned about, how can you add other pieces around him and valuable pieces so we can win a title. But that’s the only concern. I’m not good with the mathematics and the numbers of the equation here, but that’s the only concern."
